What checks are involved when applying to foster in Staffordshire?

Checks during a fostering assessment are safeguarding enquiries designed to build a clear, accurate picture of your household, circumstances and ability to care for a child. They are considered alongside interviews, preparation training and the wider assessment rather than treated as an isolated pass-or-fail test.

At the beginning of the process, you will be asked for information that allows the fostering service to verify your identity and background. This can include details of previous addresses, employment, relationships, children, household members and people who have regular contact with your home. Anyone who needs to be checked will normally be asked for their consent and relevant identification. Providing complete information at the outset helps prevent avoidable delays.

You should be open about previous convictions, cautions, investigations, social care involvement or other matters that may arise during the checks. A disclosure does not automatically mean that you cannot foster. Its relevance will depend on factors such as the nature of the matter, how long ago it occurred, the circumstances and any evidence of subsequent change. The assessing social worker will discuss anything identified with you and consider how it relates to safeguarding.

Information may also need to be obtained from places where you have lived or worked previously, particularly where this helps establish whether there are concerns relevant to fostering. If you have lived outside the UK, additional enquiries may be needed and the information available can vary between countries. Tell your assessing social worker about overseas residence early so they can explain what evidence may be required.

The health element is used to consider whether you can meet the physical and emotional demands of fostering and whether any support or adjustments may be appropriate. You will usually be asked to complete medical information for your GP or another health professional. The purpose is not to expect perfect health; it is to understand any condition, treatment or limitation in the context of caring safely and consistently for a child.

References are considered as part of the overall evidence about your reliability, relationships and approach to caring. Referees should know you well enough to give specific, honest information rather than simply confirm that they support your application. The fostering service may speak with them directly and may ask follow-up questions if information is unclear.

Checks can raise questions without ending an application. For example, an unexplained gap in your history, conflicting information, a health concern or a previous safeguarding issue may need further evidence or discussion. The assessment should give you an opportunity to provide context, while the fostering service must reach a decision based on the child’s safety and welfare.

To prepare, keep key dates and addresses available, speak to people you would like to use as referees, and answer forms fully. Tell your social worker if your household changes during the assessment, such as someone moving in, a relationship ending or a new concern affecting your circumstances. The local team can explain what information is needed, how each enquiry fits into the assessment and what happens if further clarification is required.

Once the enquiries and assessment evidence have been gathered, a written assessment is prepared for consideration through the fostering service’s approval process. The final decision looks at the complete picture: your background, household, skills, health, support network, preparation and capacity to provide safe, stable care.